E-Numbers : Introduction

(16:فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ حَلالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ ﴿114
Eat of the lawful and good things with which allah has provided you and be thankful for the favors of allah if it is he you worship. 
(Al Qur'an 16:114)

E numbers are codes for chemicals which can be used as food additives for use within the European Union and Switzerland (the "E" stands for "Europe"). They are commonly found on food labels throughout the European Union. Safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority.
Different types:

• E100–E199 (colours)
• E200–E299 (preservatives)
• E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)
• E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)
• E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)
• E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)
• E700–E799 (antibiotics)
• E900–E999 (glazing agents and sweeteners)
• E1000–E1599 (additional chemicals)

It is important for Muslims to be aware of the ingredients in many food products of this present era. Many of the food products may not contain apparent Haram ingredients but may contain an E-Code which may be Haram. Therefore it is vital that you investigate regarding the ingredients before you consume them.

According to Sharia there are three categories; Halal, Haram and Mashbuh. Halal are those products which have been inspected by the scholars of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and they have agreed that it is permissible. Haram are those products that have been agreed to be prohibited according to the Sharia. Masbuh are those products which have been doubted to be Halal or Haram, there is a possibility of certain E Numbers to be from Animal or plants. 
"‏ دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لاَ يَرِيبُكَ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ طُمَأْنِينَةٌ وَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ رِيبَةٌ ‏‏"
"Leave what makes you in doubt for what does not make you in doubt. The truth brings tranquility while falsehood sows doubt."

[Hadith Sahih- Tirmidhi 37:2708]

This can also be that some scholars say that it is permissible meanwhile there are certain scholars who state otherwise.
Certain E Numbers may not have been mentioned, please notify me from here.
Other websites may have different views to certain E Numbers. This information below is also supported by the ‘SANHA’ organization and the ‘GMWA Food-guide’.

Data Last Updated: 09/04/2013
Please use the 'Ctrl+F' or 'Find' function to search for a specific E Code

Haram - Impermissible

E120 (Carminic Acid)
Click Here for more Info

E441 (Gelatine)

E542 (Bone phosphate)

E920 (L-cysteine hydrochloride)

E921 (L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate)

Halal - Permissible

E100 (Curcurmin)

E101 (Riboflavin)

E101(a) (Riboflavin-5'-phosphate)

E102 (Tartrazine)

E103 (Chrysoine Resorcinol)

E104 (Quinoline Yellow)

E105 (Fast Yellow AB)

E106 (Riboflavin-5-sodium Phosphate)

E107 (Yellow 2G)

E110 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

E1103 (Invertase)

E1105 (Lysozyme)

E111 (Orange GGN)

E1200 (Polydextrose)

E1201 (Polyvinylpyrrolidone)

E1202 (Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone)

E122 (Carmoisine)

E123 (Amaranth)

E124 (Ponceau 4R)

E125 (Ponceau SX)

E126 (Ponceau 6R)

E127 (Erythrosine)

E128 (Red 2G)

E129 (Allura Red AC)

E130 (Indanthrene Blue RS)

E131 (Patent Blue V)

E132 (Indigo Carmine)

E133 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

E140 (Chlorophyll)

E1400 (Dextrin)

E1401 (Modified Starch)

E1402 (Alkaline Modified Starch)

E1403 (Bleached Starch)

E1404 (Oxidised Starch)

E141 (Copper phaeophytins)

E1410 (Monostarch Phosphate)

E1412 (Distarch Phosphate)

E1413 (Phoshated Distarch Phosphate)

E1414 (Acetylated Distarch Phosphate)

E142 (Green S)

E1420 (Acetylated Starch)

E1421 (Acetylated Starch)

E1422 (Acetylated Distarch Adipate)

E143 (Fast Green FCF)

E1440 (Hydroxypropyl Starch)

E1442 (Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate)

E1450 (Starch Sodium Octenyl Succinate)

E1451 (Acetylated Oxidised Starch)

E150 (Caramel Colour (Sulphite Ammonia))

E150(a) (Caramel Colour (Plain-Spirit))

E150(b) (Caramel Colour (Caustic Sulphite))

E150(c) (Caramel Colour (Ammonia))

E150(d) Sulphite Ammonia Caramel

E1505 (Triethyl Citrate)

E151 (Black PN)

E1519 (Benzyl Alcohol)

E152 (Black 7984)

E1520 (Propylene Glycol)

E154 (Brown FK)

E155 (Brown HT)

E160(a) (Carotene)

E160(b) (Annatto)

E160(c) (Capsanthin)

E160(d) (Lycopene)

E160(e) (beta-apo-8-carotenal)

E160(f) (beta apo-8-carotenoic acid ethyl ester)

E161(a) (Flavoxanthin)

E161(b) (Lutein)

E161(c) (Cryptoxanthin)

E161(d) (Rubixanthin)

E161(e) (Violaxanthin)

E161(f) (Rhodoxanthin)

E161h (Zeaxanthin)

E161i (Citranaxanthin)

E161j (Astaxanthin)

E162 (Beetroot Red)

E163 (Anthocyanins)

E170 (Calcium Carbonate)

E171 (Titanium Dioxide)

E172 (Iron Oxides & Iron Hydroxides)

E173 (Aluminium)

E174 (Silver)

E175 (Gold)

E180 (Pigment Rubine)

E181 (Tannin)

E200 (Sorbic Acid)

E201 (Sodium Sorbate)

E202 (Potassium Sorbate)

E203 (Calcium Sorbate)

E210 (Benzoic acid)

E211 (Sodium Benzoate)

E212 (Potassium Benzoate)

E213 (Calcium Benzoate)

E214 (Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate)

E215 (Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate sodium salt)

E216 (Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate)

E217 (Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate sodium salt)

E218 (Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate)

E219 (Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate sodium salt)

E220 (Sulphur Dioxide)

E221 (Sodium Sulphite)

E222 (Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite)

E223 (Sodium Metabisulphite)

E224 (Potassium metabisulphite)

E225 (Sodium Sulfite)

E226 (Calcium Sulphite)

E227 (Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite)

E228 (Potassium Hydrogen Sulphite)

E230 (Biphenyl)

E231 (2-Hydroxybiphenyl)

E232 (Sodium biphenyl-2-yl oxide)

E233 (2-(Thiazol-4-yl) benzimidazole)

E234 (Nisin)

E235 (Natamycin)

E236 (Formic Acid)

E237 (Sodium Formate)

E238 (Calcium Formate)

E239 (Hexamine)

E240 (Formaldehyde)

E242 (Dimethyl Dicarbonate)

E249 (Potassium Nitrite)

E250 (Sodium Nitrite)

E251 (Sodium Nitrate)

E260 (Acetic Acid)

E261 (Potassium Acetate)

E262 (Sodium Hydrogen Diacetate)

E263 (Calcium Acetate)

E264 (Ammonium Acetate)

E270 (Lactic Acid)

E280 (Propionic Acid)

E281 (Sodium Propionate)

E282 (Calcium Propionate)

E283 (Potassium Propionate)

E284 (Boric Acid)

E285 (Sodium Tetraborate)

E296 (Malic Acid)

E297 (Fumaric Acid)

E300 (Vitamin C)

E301 (Vitamin C Sodium)

E302 (Vitamin C Calcium)

E303 (Potassium Ascorbate)

E304 (6-o-Palmitoyl-L-ascorbic Acid)

E306 (Vitamin E Oil Extracts)

E307 (Alpha-Tocopherol)

E308 (Gamma-Tocopherol)

E309 (Delta-Tocopherol)

E310 (Propyl Gallate)

E311 (Octyl Gallate)

E312 (Dodecyl gallate)

E315 (Erythorbic Acid)

E316 (Sodium Erythorbate)

E317 (Erythorbin Acid)

E318 (Sodium Erythorbin)

E319 (Butylhydroxinon)

E320 (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

E321 (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

E322 (Lecithin)

E325 (Sodium Lactate)

E326 (Potassium Lactate)

E327 (Calcium Lactate)

E329 (Magnesium Lactate)

E330 (Citric Acid)

E331 (Sodium Citrate)

E331(a) (Sodium Dihydrogen Citrate)

E331(b) (Disodium Citrate)

E331(c) (Trisodium Citrate)

E332 (Potassium Dihydrogen Citrate)

E333 (Calcium Citrate)

E338 (Phosphoric acid)

E339(a) (Sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate)

E339(b) (diSodium hydrogen orthophosphate)

E339(c) (triSodium hydrogen orthophosphate)

E340(a) (Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate)

E340(b) (diPotassium hydrogen orthophosphate)

E340(c) (triPotassium orthophosphate)

E341(a) (Calcium Tetrahydrogen Diorthophosphate)

E341(b) (Calcium Hydrogen Orthophosphate)

E341(c) (triCalcium diorthophosphate)

E343 (Monomagnesium Phosphate)

E350 (Sodium Malate)

E351 (Potassium Malate)

E352 (Calcium Malate)

E355 (Adipic Acid)

E356 (Sodium Adipate)

E357 (Potassium Adipate)

E363 (Succinic Acid)

E365 (Sodium Fumarate)

E366 (Potassium Fumarate)

E367 (Calcium Fumarate)

E370 (1,4-Heptonolactone)

E375 (Nicotinic Acid)

E380 (triAmmonium Citrate)

E381 (Ammonium Ferric Citrate)

E385 (Calcium Disodium EDTA)

E400 (Alginic Acid)

E401 (Sodium Alginate)

E402 (Potassium Alginate)

E403 (Ammonium Alginate)

E404 (Calcium Alginate)

E405 (Propylene glycol alginate)

E406 (Agar Agar)

E407 (Carrageen)

E407a (Processed Eucheuma Seaweed)

E410 (Locust Bean Gum)

E412 (Guar Gum)

E413 (Tragacanth)

E414 (Gum Arabic)

E415 (Xanthan gum)

E416 (Karaya Gum)

E417 (Tara Gum)

E418 (Gellan gum)

E420(i) (Sorbitol)

E420(ii) (Sorbitol Syrup)

E421 (Mannitol)

E422 (Glycerine)

E425 (Konjac gum)

E426 (Soyabean Hemicellulose)

E432 (Tween 20)

E434 (Tween 40)

E442 (Emulsifier YN)

E444 (Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate)

E450(a) (diSodium Pyrophosphate)

E450(b) (pentaSodium Triphosphate)

E450(c) (Sodium Polyphosphates)

E450(v) (Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate)

E451 (Triphosphates)

E452 (Polyphosphates)

E459 (Beta-cyclodextrin)

E460 (Cellulose)

E461 (Methylcellulose)

E462 (Ethyl Cellulose)

E463 (Hydroxypropylcellulose)

E464 (Hydoxypropylmethylcellulose)

E465 (Ethylmethylcellulose)

E466 (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium)

E467 (Ethylhydroxyethyl Cellulose)

E468 (Crosslinked Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose)

E469 (Enzymetically Hydrolysed Carboxymethyl Cellulose)

E493 (Sorbitan Monolaurate)

E495 (Sorbitan Monopalmitate)

E500 (Sodium Bicarbonate)

E501 (Potassium Carbonate)

E503 (Ammonium Carbonate)

E504 (Magnesium Carbonate)

E507 (Hydrochloric Acid)

E508 (Potassium Chloride)

E509 (Calcium Chloride)

E510 (Ammonium Chloride)

E511 (Magnesium Chloride)

E512 (Stannous Chloride)

E513 (Sulphuric Acid)

E514 (Sodium Sulphate)

E515 (Potassium Sulphate)

E516 (Calcium Sulphate)

E517 (Ammonium Sulphate)

E518 (Magnesium Sulphate)

E519 (Copper (II) Sulphate)

E520 (Aluminium Sulphate)

E521 (Aluminium Sodium Sulphate)

E522 (Aluminium Potassium Sulphate)

E523 (Aluminium Ammonium Sulphate)

E524 (Sodium Hydroxide)

E525 (Potassium Hydroxide)

E526 (Calcium Hydroxide)

E527 (Ammonium Hydroxide)

E528 (Magnesium Hydroxide)

E529 (Calcium Oxide)

E530 (Magnesium Oxide)

E535 (Sodium Ferrocyanide)

E536 (Potassium Ferrocyanide)

E538 (Calcium Ferrocyanide)

E540 (diCalcium Diphosphate)

E541 (Sodium Aluminium Phosphate)

E543 (Calcium Sodium Polyphosphate)

E544 (Calcium Polyphosphates)

E545 (Ammonium Polyphosphates)

E550 (Sodium Silicate)

E551 (Silicon Dioxide)

E552 (Calcium Silicate)

E553(a) (Magnesium Silicate)

E553(b) (Talc)

E554 (Aluminium Sodium Silicate)

E555 (Pottasium Aluminium Silicate)

E556 (Aluminium Calcium Silicate)

E558 (Betonite)

E559 (Kaolin)

E574 (Gluconic Acid)

E575 (D-Glucono-1,5-lactone)

E576 (Sodium Gluconate)

E577 (Potassium Gluconate)

E578 (Calcium Gluconate)

E579 (Ferrous Gluconate)

E585 (Ferrous Lactate)

E586 (4-Hexylresorcinol)

E620 (L-Glutamic Acid)

E621 (MonoSodium Glutamate)

E622 (monoPotassium Glutamate)

E623 (Calcium Dihydrogen di-L-glutamate)

E624 (Monoammonium Glutamate)

E625 (Magnesium Diglutamate)

E626 (Guanylic acid)

E627 (Sodium Guanylate)

E628 (Dipotassium Guanylate)

E629 (Calcium Guanylate)

E636 (Maltol)

E637 (Ethyl Maltol)

E650 (Zinc Acetate)

E900 (Dimethylpolysiloxane)

E901 (Beeswax)

E902 (Candelilla Wax)

E903 (Carnuaba Wax)

E905 (Mineral Hydrocarbons)

E905a (Mineral Oil)

E906 (Gum Benzoic)

E907 (Refined Microcrystalline Wax)

E908 (Rice Bran Wax)

E912 (Montanic acid esters)

E913 (Lanolin)

E914 (Oxidised Polyethylene Wax)

E922 (Potassium Persulphate)

E923 (Ammonium Persulphate)

E924 (Potassium Bromate)

E925 (Chlorine)

E926 (Chlorine Dioxide)

E927 (Azodicabonamide)

E927b (Carbamide)

E928 (Benzoyl Peroxide)

E930 (Calcium Peroxide)

E938 (Argon)

E939 (Helium)

E940 (Dichlorodifluoromethane)

E941 (Nitrogen)

E942 (Nitrous Oxide)

E943a (Butane)

E943b (Isobutane)

E944 (Propane)

E948 (Oxygen)

E949 (Hydrogen)

E950 (Acesulfame K)

E951 (Aspartame)

E952(i) (Cylamic Acid)

E952(iii) (Calcium Cyclamate)

E953 (Isomalt)

E954 (Saccharin and its Salts)

E955 (Sucralose)

E957 (Thaumatin)

E959 (Neohesperidine DihydroChalcone)

E962 (Salt of Aspartame-Acesulfame)

E965(i) (Maltitol)

E965(ii) (Maltitol Syrup)

E966 (Lactitol)

E967 (Xylitol)

E968 (Erythritol)

E999 (Quillaia Extract)

E904 (Shellac)

Mashbuh - Doubted

E1000 (Cholic Acid)

E1405 (Enzyme Treated Starch)

E1423 (Acetylated Distarch Glycerol)

E1430 (Distarch Glycerine)

E1441 (Hydroxy Propyl Distarch Glycerine)

E1443 (Hydroxy Propyl Starch Glycerol)

E1510 (Ethanol)

E1517 (Glyceryl Diacetate)

E1518 (Glyceryl Triacetate)

E153 (Carbon Black)

E161(g) (Canthaxanthin)

E252 (Potassium Nitrate)

E290 (Carbon Dioxide)

E334 (L-(+)-Tartaric Acid)

E335 (Sodium L-(+)-tartrate)

E336 (Cream of Tartar)

E337 (Potassium Sodium L-(+)-Tartrate)

E353 (Metatartaric Acid)

E354 (Calcium Tartrate)

E430 (Polyoxyethylene (8) Stearate)

E431 (Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate)

E433 (Tween 80)

E435 (Tween 60)

E436 (Tween 65)

E440(a) (Pectin)

E440(b) (Amidated Pectin)

E445 (Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosin)

E470 (Sodium, Potassium, & Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids)

E470b (Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids)

E471 (Glyceryl Monostearate)

E472(a) (Acetoglycerides)

E472(b) (Lactoglycerides)

E472(c) (Citroglycerides)

E472(d) (Tartaric acid glycerol esters)

E472(e) (Acetyltartaric acid glycerol esters)

E472f (Mixed Acetic & Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono & Digl)

E473 (Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids)

E474 (Sucroglycerides)

E475 (Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids)

E476 (Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate)

E477 (Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids)

E478 (Lactylated Fatty Acid Esters)

E479b (Thermally oxidized Soya Bean Oil interacted with M)

E481 (Sodium Stearoyl-2 lactylate)

E482 (Calcium Stearoyl-2-lactylate)

E483 (Stearyl Tartrate)

E491 (Sorbitan Monostearate)

E492 (Sorbitan Tristearate)